Miami life congregates among palm trees, warm sands and balmy sea breezes: waterfront neighbourhoods stretch from the sandy bacchanalia of South Beach to the wealthy and exclusive Golden Beach to the north.

Germany’s capital of cool is a major cultural centre, combining top-flight museums, galleries and concert halls with thriving alternative arts and music scenes. And it's just a two-hour flight from the UK.

Compact city, cheap public transport, great shops, restaurants and cultural attractions – the perfect weekend trip. And it couldn't be easier to get to with the Eurostar linking London’s St Pancras International to Paris du Nord in two hours and 15 minutes.

Being a short flight from the UK and having a walkable city centre, Amsterdam is a perfect weekend break destination – whether that is to visit its museums and canals, or coffeeshops and late-night bars.

Just a one-hour flight from the UK, Dublin is ideal for a cultural weekend away exploring beautifully preserved castles, a dockside steeped in history, plus top chefs serving up local flavours and DJs delivering the latest beats.

Not just the destination of choice for stag and hen parties, but also for those seeking romantic riverside dining, hips bars and clubs and plenty of sights with layers of charm and history from Prague Castle to Wenceslas Square.

The winter air is warm, dry and pleasant, though you may need a jumper in the evenings, and the sea is still warm enough for swimming. The Season – when South Beach is at the peak of its cycle – is from the end of November to May.